Changing the Network Provider Order in Windows 10

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Changing the Network Provider Order in Windows 10

Added by Mike Danseglio November 30, 2015

If you’re like me, you have more than one network connection on your PC. For example, my desktop computer has two wired Ethernet adapters and one Wi-Fi adapter. And those are just the physical adapters… there are also virtual adapters for remote access and virtualization.

Some of these adapters are connected to internal resources, and some to external networks. And because I test and experiment with my PC, those connections change periodically.

To help optimize how the PC accesses network resources, I occasionally have to modify the Network Provider Order. This is how I do it in Windows 10. The setting is somewhat hidden and difficult to locate, so you might want to bookmark this one.

First, fire up Control Panel. The old, classic Control Panel, not the Settings menu. I usually do this my pressing Windows + R, typing Control, and then pressing Enter.

Next click on Network and Sharing Center.

In Network and Sharing Center, in the left-hand column, click Change adapter settings. This will show you the Network Connections interface.

The option is here. But it’s hidden. To unhide it, tap the Alt key. You’ll see the menu bar unhide itself.

Now click the Advanced menu and you can select Advanced Settings. This shows you the Advanced Settings dialog.

Now click the Provider Order tab.

Woot! There it is! Now you can modify the order by clicking any of the providers and then clicking the up or down arrow. Then click OK and you’re done!